Read Online Wrapped in Lace by Prescott Lane - Free Book Online Page B

Rob’s body tensed. “Handle the bar,” my dad said to Rob, who shook his head and walked around to serve some other patrons.
    My mom looked like she could cry, and my dad started talking about the importance of family and forgiveness for the millionth time. It was Christmas Eve, after all. I glanced over at Piper. She was doing her best not to look at me, but there was an electricity shooting between us, tying us together, even if she was trying to fight it. But damn if there weren’t at least a half dozen guys around her. Now I understood why she went to Hank’s. No one bothered her. This place was like a meat market, and Piper seemed to be the main course, but she didn’t appear upset by it. She was laughing and smiling. I wouldn’t say she was exactly flirting, but the attention didn’t look unwelcome.
    My mom patted my back as my dad finally ended his speech. “Carl, go change the music, would you?” My dad kissed her cheek, patted my back, and walked towards the office that held the sound system.
    “I’m sorry, Mom.”
    “It’s Christmas Eve. Let’s have a good time,” she said then nodded towards Piper. “You remember those guys, right?” I looked harder, now recognizing them, and nodded. “Their wives are friends with Piper. They’re more like her big brothers.”
    I looked down, grinning. My mom was the absolute best mom in the world. She actually scoped girls for me. She nudged my side, and I looked up, seeing a couple women had joined the group. I normally wasn’t a jealous guy, but I’d suddenly become one. I didn’t want anyone else to know about my “bad girl.” Not how she tasted, not how she kissed, or what her skin felt like. It had only been forty-eight hours, but I already considered her mine. Maybe part of me always had.
    “That’s Piper’s good friend, Sabrina. They teach together.” I looked over, seeing a stunning young woman sitting alongside Piper with a familiar looking guy standing behind her bar stool.
    “Is that Matt?”
    “Yep.” My mom smiled. “He was always such a nice boy. Sabrina and Matt have been married a few months now.”
    Matt had been one of my closest friends in high school. He’d dated Ellie’s best friend, and the four of us were inseparable. We lost touch in college after he went to play minor league ball, and I divorced McAdenville.
    “Now that one,” my mother continued. “I’m not sure what’s going on there.” I looked up, seeing a man had joined them and moved beside Piper. He was currently leaning down whispering something into her ear. He was way too close to her. “Davis Boyd,” my mom said, wrinkling her nose.
    I looked again. “Davis Boyd? The running back when Rob played football?” My mom nodded, and I felt my heart rate spike.
    “Yes, and he’s running for mayor,” she informed me.
    “Is he married?”
    “No, baby. Afraid not.”
    I could tell from their body language they were close. The way their bodies leaned into each other’s, the way they smiled at each other. I hadn’t asked about other men in her life. That had been naive. “Mom, please tell me they aren’t a thing.”
    “I don’t think so, but they spend time together. I know Piper’s been his date to some political functions.”
    “ Date ?”

CHAPTER EIGHT
    PIPER
    I knew Drew was watching my every move. I could feel the intensity of his stare, but I willed myself not to look over at him. Unfortunately, I wasn’t the only one who noticed.
    “Seems like we’ve attracted a little audience,” Davis whispered in my ear.
    “It’s fine, just ignore him.”
    Sabrina looked over at Drew with about as much subtlety as an earthquake. “Damn, girl, you weren’t lying. He’s a total hottie. And from the look on his face, he has a total heart-on for you.”
    “Don’t you mean hard-on, sugar?” Matt asked.
    “That, too,” Sabrina said. “But he’s got love in his eyes, not just lust.”
    “Who we talking about?” Matt asked, looking around the